"That was such a wild ride," said Aasbo on Saturday night. "I'm proud of everything we have accomplished as a team. We got really close to the championship this year and it feels amazing to be celebrating with Hankook and Scion."

It was the driver's fourth podium in 2014. He scored wins in Texas and New Jersey, and finished second in Atlanta and Irwindale. In addition to the runner-up championship achievement for the team, partners Hankook and Scion scored victories in the 2014 Formula Drift tire and manufacturer championships, respectively.

The intense action this weekend at the legendary drifting venue known as the "House of Drift" had a sell-out crowd on the edge of their seats as the championship fight continued until the very last head-to-head battle of the season.

On his way to the podium Saturday, Aasbo defeated 2011 champion Dai Yoshihara in the Round of Eight, and -- in one of the most exciting head-to-head battles of the season -- put on a stunning display of speed and smoky style to eliminate rival Chris Forsberg in the Final Four.

"For us to bring this one-of-a-kind drift car this far really proves everything we're trying to do in this championship," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "I'm really proud of the team and all of our partners and couldn't be happier for both Hankook and Scion. We have a solid foundation and we're going to continue to build on it in 2015."

After a close final match Sunday night, Daigo Saito took the event win at the high-speed Irwindale track for the third year in a row, and Forsberg secured the championship title -- a slim 11.5 points ahead of Aasbo.

Papadakis Racing's four-cylinder, turbocharged Scion tC has enormous fan appeal and will start the 2015 Formula Drift season as an early favorite for the championship. "We already know we have everything we need to win next year," said Aasbo. "We're going to hit the ground running when the season starts in Long Beach and I can't wait."

At the Formula Drift year-end banquet on Sunday, Aasbo was also awarded Formula Drift's fan-voted "Driver of the Year" honor -- for the third time -- while team principal Papadakis secured the "Team Manager of the Year" award. Aasbo also won the "Top Gun" award for having the highest battle win rate and the "Ace Driver" nod for the best overall winning percentage.

Since joining Papadakis Racing at the start of the 2011 season, Aasbo has developed from a raw talent to a consistent top performer in the series. The runner-up championship result is a personal best for Aasbo, who scored fourth-place in the championship in 2013. This is a second runner-up championship result for Papadakis Racing since the team began contesting the series in 2005. Papadakis Racing has won the championship title twice, in 2007 and 2008.

Event coverage from the series is available on demand via Driftstream, which had more than 200,000 live viewers this weekend. Considered the most widely viewed motorsports live stream in the world, it boasts over 1.5-million unique viewers each season. Formula Drift is also broadcast on NBCSN, with all seven stops airing on Sundays.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

"To become the champion in this series, you have to be ready to beat every driver in any head-to-head contest," said Aasbo, after a fourth-place finish in Washington this weekend. "The thing that matters right now is the next battle, and we're ready."

This season has seen fierce competition in Formula Drift, with the drivers at the top of the standings rewarded for consistent results. The championship is within reach for the driver, who stands in second place, behind Hankook Tire teammate Chris Forsberg.

"This championship is in our sights," said team owner Stephan Papadakis on Saturday. "We'd love to see Hankook one-two at the end of the season -- we just want to be the ones on top."

In the kind of performance that makes Aasbo a perennial fan favorite, his Top 8 battle with Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis was an event highlight. The two drivers showed their sideways style door-to-door, producing enormous clouds of tire smoke for thousands of cheering fans at the Seattle area track. Judges ruled their first match too-close-to-call and ordered a re-run, and Aasbo won the One More Time battle to advance to the Final 4.

The course configuration at the Monroe track features steep banking and rough transitions. It can be unforgiving, but Papadakis said the Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC's suspension gave the team an edge.

"Other cars were bouncing off the big bump into the Power Alley but our RS-R shocks handled it so well that you could hardly tell it was there," said Papadakis. "Fredric was able to stay on the throttle and go faster, with more confidence."

After scoring a win at the previous round in New Jersey last month, Aasbo was looking set for a return to the podium. He was putting down a strong run in his battle against rival Dean Kearney when the boost cut-off suddenly kicked in and he lost power. Aasbo had to settle for fourth. Papadakis said the team will make a change for the next round in Texas, September 12 and 13.

"We were too conservative in our setup with the engine map," he said. "As the competition ramps up into the final rounds, our fans are going to see how powerful the Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC really is."

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

Long Beach, Calif.  June 21, 2014  Formula DRIFT returned to Wall Speedway in New Jersey for Round 4: The Gauntlet. Fredric Aasbo in the Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC took his first Formula DRIFT Pro Championship victory.

Round 4: The Gauntlet provided the sold-out crowd an exciting event experience complete with hard fought battles throughout the competition. Friday attendance saw exponential growth from the previous season making this the most attended Formula DRIFT event at this venue.

"Nine years ago we invested in Wall Speedway, when we paved the infield and it continues to prove to have been a wise decision as we experienced the biggest Wall Speedway crowd ever this weekend," says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. "This part of the country has become an integral and established stop for the championship."

For the fourth consecutive event, Chris Forsberg, the number one qualifier in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z, found the podium finishing in second place and retaining his championship point lead. The final battle between Hankook Tire teammates, Forsberg and Aasbo was a tightly fought battle, but one mistake by Forsberg helped Aasbo take his first career Formula DRIFT event victory, moving him into second place in the chase for the championship. The podium was rounded out by Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis in the Feal Suspension / Nitto Tire Nissan 240SX taking third place in the event, which is also his first professional career podium.

"This has been such a long time coming. This is my dream from ten years ago when I first started watching Formula DRIFT," said Fredric Aasbo, winner of Round 4: The Gauntlet. "I want to thank my team for turning the Scion tC into such a championship contender. We have had our trials and tribulations, but this is proof that I have the best team in the business."

Our interview with Fredric Aasbo at 2013 SEMA show about his drifting career and the Scion tC drift car.

Fredric Aasbo in Formula Drift championship hunt;
Points race heats up as series moves to New Jersey

MIAMI, FL (June 3, 2014) - Fredric Aasbo is in the hunt for the 2014 Formula Drift championship after a solid showing in the Papadakis Racing Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC this weekend in Florida.

For the first time in series history, the championship traveled to Homestead-Miami Speedway to take their sideways show to the track's road course. The event saw a sell-out crowd at the new Formula Drift venue, with fans overflowing the grandstands to pack four-deep into trackside viewing areas.

A challenging start to the weekend saw the Papadakis Racing team perform an hour and a half long engine swap just before the all important qualifying session. Despite the last-minute work in the pits, the driver went on to qualify a solid seventh out of 58 drivers.

"A blown engine would be the end of a weekend for most teams," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "It's fortunate that we rarely have to do such major work on a race weekend but the team pulled together to get the car out for qualifying without a hitch."

In the opening round, Aasbo confidently won his match against rookie Matt Coffman, then advanced past Carl Rydquist in the round of 16 to move into the Top 8 -- extending an astonishing streak unmatched by any other driver in the series. In a sport where consistency is critical, it has been nearly two years since Aasbo has been eliminated before the Top 8. But Aasbo didn't battle past eventual event winner, Vaughn Gittin Jr., who set a blistering pace to take the match.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

"We're leaving Miami in the chase for the championship and we know exactly what to focus on as we move forward," said Aasbo. "The launch is critical and staying with the lead car into the first turn is paramount -- this is where we're extremely lucky to have Steph's drag racing experience on board."

Event coverage was available live via Driftstream, considered the most widely viewed motorsports live stream in the world, boasting over 1.5-million unique viewers during the course of an event broadcast. Formula Drift is also broadcast on NBCSN, with all seven stops airing on Sundays starting July 27.

Aasbo and the Papadakis Racing Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC will next appear in the Formula Drift championship for Round 4: The Gauntlet at Wall Speedway in New Jersey on June 20-21.

"I think I like the Road Atlanta course so much because it reminds me of home," said the Norwegian driver who earned the Number 1 qualifying position there last year and a second-place finish in 2012. "It's a fast, long course - a rally style course. It's the fastest line that wins and as a racer, I absolutely love that."

Facing Chris Forsberg in the Final Four, Aasbo was ready to put the pressure on after an intense afternoon of competition. But facing uncertain conditions, rival Chris Forsberg made a critical error early in his lead run, opening the door for Aasbo to advance to the finals. "We passed when Forsberg's car was going off-line, which was amazing," said Aasbo. "He is usually so consistent, but I think he got psyched out this time. That was some racing right there."

Fans in the packed grandstands were thrilled, screaming their appreciation for Aasbo's battle style. It was an unusual display in a sport that typically sees drivers follow a strict lead-follow format but, under Formula Drift rules, the chase driver is permitted to overtake if the lead driver goes off-line.

Aasbo and the 2014 Papadakis Racing Hankook Tire ScionRacing tC are fan favorites as a rare, four-cylinder build that is a strong force on a circuit dominated by V6 and V8 muscle. The car produces more than 800 horsepower from its nitrous-boosted, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.

Qualifying took place under rainy skies that saw many drivers struggle to manage the slick conditions. Aasbo took a conservative approach to the wet course and qualified eighth. In the round of 32, he advanced past Matt Field and then secured a position in the Top 8 by besting Conrad Grunewald. Problems with opponent Daigo Saito's car in that match saw him earn a buy into the Final Four, where he met Forsberg.

"Fredric and the tC were dialed in, and in sync all weekend, regardless if rain was falling or not. We have been working hard to get to this point and hope to use this podium result as a springboard toward winning the championship," said team owner Stephan Papadakis.

The Finals saw a close fight between Aasbo and former champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. The match went to a One-More-Time round after judges ruled the opening battle too-close-to-call. It was a hard-fought duel and Aasbo earned second-place overall to climb to third-place in the championship standings with five rounds remaining in the season.

"Fredric and the tC were definitely giving the fans and judges what they wanted to see," said Papadakis. "Special thanks to Hankook's RS-3 tires, ACT's clutch, AEM's Infinity ECU and electronics, SPC alignment products, RS-R Coilovers, Motegi Traklite wheels, Torco oil in our engine, transmission and rear end, and Borg Warner's EFR 8374 turbo," said Papadakis. "All of these products worked flawlessly this weekend in the Scion tC. It shows a lot about the quality of our partners with the solid performance of our four-cylinder competition car."

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

In addition to third place in the drivers' championship standings, Papadakis Racing's tire partner, Hankook Tire, is leading the tire manufacturers' standings, while Scion is second in the manufacturers' standings.

Now in its 11th season, the Formula Drift championship boasts the most popular live-stream in motorsport, with over 1.5-million unique viewers turning into each round's online programming. Its social media reach sees nearly 450,000 Facebook engagements on a typical race day. The series also returns to NBCSN for 2014, with all seven stops airing on Sundays starting July 27.

Aasbo and the Papadakis Racing Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC will next appear in the Formula Drift championship for Round 3, Miami Heat, held May 30-31 at the new Homestead-Miami Speedway stop in Florida.

The first of seven championship rounds, the Streets of Long Beach opener is an annual sell-out. Over 20,000 fans packed standing-room-only into the venue this weekend for an incredible show of sideways driving on three challenging turns of the Long Beach Grand Prix street course. The Dailymotion Livestream partnership tallied over a million views for the Driftstream broadcast.

The fifth-place result was a strong start to the season for the championship team. "We have a lot of good things going for us," said Aasbo. "We have great communication and a great team, and it speaks well for the season."

The 2014 Papadakis Racing Scion tC is a favorite for the 2014 title, producing more than 800 horsepower from its nitrous-boosted, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. It debuted a distinctive look for 2014 in Long Beach, with a fresh livery design highlighting the aggressive lines of its new Rocket Bunny body kit.

Aasbo qualified fifth on Friday, posting one of the highest scores in a competitive field that saw more than 60 drivers fighting for one of just 32 spots in the main event.

On Saturday, while leading his first run of the Top 16 round, Aasbo took a damaging hit to the Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC when rival Conrad Grunewald slid wide on the first turn. "I turned it in and 'Boom!' -- he's in my door," said Aasbo. "The hit was so hard it knocked out my ignition."

Judges determined the fault was Grunewald's, while Aasbo's car was towed from the course. The team used every minute of allowed time to diagnose and resolve the problem and was able to get the car back into the contest for Aasbo to advance to the Top 8.

Even so, lingering issues remained from the collision and Aasbo's chase for the win was halted. "After the hit, we had some unresolved gremlins that we couldn't fix," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "We scored some solid points and we'll be back in full force for the next round."

Between the action-packed rounds, crowds packed the off-track areas with long line-ups for autograph sessions, a busy vendor village, and plenty of fan interaction in the open pits.

Aasbo will next compete at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge, April 11-12. With such a tight turn-around time between events, the driver has opted to bring out his popular Japan Auto Toyota Supra -- the same car he used to score the 2010 Formula Drift Rookie of the Year title.

The next round of the Formula Drift championship takes place May 9-10 in Braselton, Georgia and driver Aasbo said he is excited to return. "Roll on Atlanta," said Aasbo. "It's one of my most favorite tracks in the whole world and I can't wait to get there!"

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

Now in its 11th season, the Formula Drift championship boasts the most popular live-stream in motorsport, with over 1.5-million unique viewers tuning in to each round's online programming. Its social media sees nearly 450,000 Facebook engagements on a typical race day. The series also returns to NBCSN for 2014, with all seven stops airing on Sundays starting July 27.

It is Aasbo's second-straight "Fan Favorite" nod. He also won the fan-voted award in 2012.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Irwindale Speedway Saturday, the driver continued his unmatched Top-Eight streak to finish the season among the top-five in the championship rankings.

"We've proven we know how to beat every driver out there and we have a lot of good momentum to carry into 2014," said Aasbo after Saturday's competition.

Aasbo showed remarkable consistency all year long in his Papadakis Racing Scion tC, on Saturday becoming the only driver to advance to or past the round of eight in eliminations at every single 2013 event. The driver also achieved one top qualifying position and placed among the top-three qualifiers at four of the seven rounds this year.

"To win championships, you have to be in the game every single round of competition," said team owner Stephan Papadakis, whose Papadakis Racing squad has previously scored two Formula Drift titles with driver Tanner Foust. "No other team has had shown such consistency, and that's the key to winning championships."

The team, which runs the Hankook Tire Ventus RS-3 in competition, is proud that their achievement contributed to Hankook's tire championship win.

"The Hankook Tire Ventus RS-3 tires we run are critical to our success," said Papadakis. "To get nearly 800-horsepower to the ground requires a great tire and Hankook provides just that. We owe a good deal of our performance this season to our Hankook tires."

The Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC produces more than 700 horsepower from its nitrous-boosted turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. It's an increasingly popular set-up in a field once dominated by big-muscle V8 power. The team has proven the platform's competence and intends to continue the vehicle's development into 2014.

"It's a different direction from some of the other cars out there on the grid, many of which use V8 engine swaps," said Papadakis. "But we are confident in the performance we can get from a Scion tC."

In addition to the fourth-place championship result and the fan-voted "Fan Favorite Driver of the Year" award, the team also earned the "Crew Members of the Year" -- an achievement recognizing the work of Shawn Hillier and Aldo Villagran, and selected by their peers in the paddock.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

Fredric Aasbo earns podium in Washington
Team ranks as consistent top performer as title fight heats up

It is a tight points race at the top of the standings and it's going to come down to strong performances over the next two rounds. Team owner Stephan Papadakis says Aasbo and his Scion tC are contenders.

"We're one of the most consistent teams out there this year and we're definitely in the hunt for the title," he said.

Fans who packed the grandstands for this fifth round of the Formula Drift championship were rewarded with plenty of excitement. The course configuration at the Monroe track features steep banking and tight transitions. It can be unforgiving, but it favors Aasbo's bold style. He earned his first Formula Drift podium at this track during his rookie 2011 season.

"Drivers push it really hard here, wind up going too fast at the end of the bank and end up in the wall," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "But Fredric enjoys the challenge and our car has the power and the handling to succeed on a technical track like this."

During opening-round competition, Aasbo swept past Jhonnattan Castro, then put in a conservative drive to win his next match-up with Tyler McQuarrie. He put the pressure on rival Justin Pawlak, who crashed while trying to keep up the pace, handing the round of eight bracket win to Aasbo.

"Fredric was fast and had tons of tire smoke," said Papadakis. "It's hard to follow that."

While battling former champion Chris Forsberg, Aasbo suffered a rare mechanical failure and had to concede the match. He made a comeback in the consolation round, though, winning a close, one-more-time contest with Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis to score third place.

It was Aasbo's third time among the top-three drivers in the qualifying ladder this season; he has advanced as far as the round of eight at every contest.

The championship next heads into unfamiliar territory for Round 6 at Texas Motor Speedway September 13-14. It is the first time the championship will visit the Fort Worth track and Aasbo said he is looking forward to the contest.

"This being a new track for everyone means it's anyone's game," said Aasbo. "We're good at getting up to speed quickly on new tracks and I can't wait to get started there."
The Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC features produces more than 700 horsepower from its BorgWarner EFR boosted inline-four cylinder engine, with nitrous. The Papadakis Racing squad has proven time and again this season that their formula is competitive, making Aasbo and the Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC one of the teams to beat.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

The Need For Speed/Papadakis Racing squad capped off a successful 2012 Formula Drift season with a top ranking and a trio of big awards, including the coveted "Fan Favorite Driver of the Year" for Fredric Aasbo.

Aasbo finished the season with a strong list of 2012 accomplishments against one of the most competitive fields in Formula Drift's nine-year history.
"We have a killer combination of car, tires, and strong team that works well together," said Aasbo. "I think at the start of the year people weren't sure our turbocharged Scion tC could take on the V-8s that are popular in the U.S., but we've proven them wrong."

The season finale at Irwindale Speedway Saturday saw huge crowds. For the first time in history, the legendary drifting venue known as the "House of Drift" sold out before the gates even opened to the public and the enthusiastic fans were not disappointed by the on-track action. Competition was at full commitment and half a dozen top drivers pushed so hard they collided with the wall.

For his part, Aasbo qualified in third place and faced down Mike Essa in the round of 32 before meeting Robbie Nishida in the Top 16. Aasbo led first, putting in a strong performance but got too close while pushing hard to shadow Nishida, made contact and spun on the track. There was no damage, but he did not advance. After the match, Aasbo said he had no choice but to push the limits during the high-stakes contest.

"There's no playing it safe at the House of Drift," said Aasbo, whose result placed him sixth in the championship. "At the last battle of the year we had to keep the pressure on and that increases the risk  especially when you're drifting at high speeds just inches from another car."

Season highlights for the team included a pair of podium finishes and a number-one qualifying result that cemented the Need For Speed/Papadakis Racing team's position as championship contenders. Aasbo qualified first and finished second in Las Vegas in August, and took second place in May at the Atlanta round of the championship.

The single-elimination Formula Drift format means progression to the podium calls for drivers to defeat top rivals one by one and, in 2012, Aasbo proved he could beat anyone in the field. At the Las Vegas round alone, the Need for Speed driver bested 2009 Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg, 2010 Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr., and 2011 champion Dai Yoshihara. On his way to a podium finish in Atlanta, he overcame blinding tire smoke to defeat multi-time international drift star, and newly crowned 2012 champ, Daigo "The Ninja" Saito.

"This has been a critical season in our evolution," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "This team is going in the right direction and coming off a strong 2012, I don't think there's any doubt that Fredric and the Scion tC are a force to be reckoned with in Formula Drift."
In addition to Aasbo's ranking in the year-end standings and fan-voted "Fan Favorite" award, he was also recognized with the "Best Drifting Style" award. Papadakis was awarded "Team Manager of the Year."

The 2010 Rookie of the Year, Aasbo burst onto the US scene for his first full season with Papadakis Racing in 2011 and has been making a steady progression through the ranks ever since. The team's Need for Speed Scion tC and Hankook RS3 tires have proven a competitive package and Papadakis said 2013 promises more of the same.

"We never stop improving and we will continue to refine what we've got in the off-season, but we've already established we have a formula that works," said Papadakis. "It's thanks to the continued support of our partners -- including Need For Speed, Scion and Hankook Tire -- that we're going to start 2013 strong, with the confidence of knowing we have a competitive package that is a proven contender."

The 10th anniversary Formula Drift season begins April 13 with a return to the Streets of Long Beach. Tickets are already on sale for the popular season opener.

While the 2013 U.S. drifting season is over, Aasbo will continue to compete internationally. He next travels to Indonesia in mid-November to compete in the Toyota 86-X he campaigns overseas. He will also make appearances in Ireland and Germany in the coming months.

"I have made a point of being a trans-Atlantic ambassador of drifting," said Aasbo. "It is an amazing experience to meet and perform for fans around the world. Plus, I return to Formula Drift a stronger competitor. April is going to come quickly, and I'll be ready."

Need for Speed driver Fredric Aasbo took down a parade of former champions to put his Scion tC on the podium this weekend at the sixth round of the 2012 Formula DRIFT championship in Las Vegas.

"It feels good to be back on the podium," said Aasbo. "We faced tough competition and fought hard this weekend."

The championship returned to Sin City this year for Round 6: After Dark and fans were treated to a night spectacle that included the Vegas ProAm championship, Slammed Society car show, and Targa Trophy display of vehicles.

A new course configuration for this stop called for drivers to make a high-speed entry and demonstrate full commitment as they slid just inches from an unforgiving trackside wall at speeds approaching 80 miles per hour. Aasbo showed his skill from the start with a pair of strong runs in qualifying that earned him the Number 1 spot for the Top 32.

The single-elimination Formula DRIFT format typically sees each round become progressively more difficult as drivers work through the competition ladder. But Aasbo faced stiff competition from the very first round, battling former champions in all but one of his six head-to-head battles.

"It was intense," said Aasbo. "We've never had to take on such a crazy lineup of champions to get to the podium."

He bested 2009 Formula DRIFT champion Chris Forsberg in the Top 32, defending champion Dai Yoshihara in the Top 16, contender Tyler McQuarrie in the Great 8, and 2010 Champion Vaughn Gittin in the Final 4. His final round saw him face off against 2005 champion Rhys Millen in a close battle for victory. He finished second.

Among the keys to the team's success were their Hankook RS3 tires, which ensured Aasbo had the traction he needed on the high-speed course. The four-cylinder, turbocharged Need for Speed/Papadakis Racing Scion tC performed flawlessly all weekend, despite the hot weather competition that saw other teams battle overheating.

"The Need for Speed/Papadakis Racing Scion tC is a competitive package and this was a contest that gave Fredric a chance to stretch its legs against the best drivers in the field," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "We're aiming for the top step of the podium at the final round in October."

The Las Vegas event drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, while the online Driftstream broadcast saw an estimated 150,000 viewers in a 24-hour period.

Aasbo will next travel to Europe to get behind the wheel of the Toyota 86-X he campaigns overseas. He will take on the best of Britain at the Trax Silverstone circuit before heading to Mondello Park in Ireland.

He will return to what has become known as the "House of Drift" venue, Irwindale Speedway, for the final round of the 2012 Formula DRIFT championship October 12-13.

LONG BEACH, CA (April 9 2012, PAPADAKIS RACING)

Fredric Aasbo set a strong foundation for his 2012 Formula DRIFT campaign in the Need For Speed/Papadakis Racing Scion tC this weekend with an impressive performance against the most competitive field in series history.

"Our goal is to earn a Formula DRIFT championship," said Aasbo. "The Need For Speed/Papadakis Racing Scion tC is in its second season of development and working perfectly, so now it's down to solid teamwork and smart driving  and we showed that this weekend."

The Formula DRIFT Long Beach contest uses three turns of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach's road course through downtown Long Beach, and features narrow turns and high-speed entries. It was standing-room only for Saturday's main competition, which saw enthusiastic fans spill out of the packed grandstands to line the edges of the thrilling course. It was the first time in the event's seven-year history that Formula DRIFT has had a total sell-out before the season opener even began.

The Papadakis Racing squad spent the off-season fine-tuning the Need For Speed/Papadakis Racing Scion tC. The car, which debuted a year ago, now produces over 600 horsepower from its high-revving turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and shoots flames through an exhaust pipe routed through the hood.

"We're pleased with where we have the car right now," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "We're confident our Scion tC and Hankook RS3 tire combination is a competitive package."

The newly resurfaced road and narrow course proved challenging for drivers, with several contenders  including former champion Vaughn Gittin Jr.  crashing out early in the contest. Aasbo avoided trouble to put down a series of technically measured runs over the weekend. He secured the number-11 qualifying position against a packed field that saw 60 competitors battling Friday for only 32 spots in the main event.

"I've spent the off season hitting up mountain passes, ice racing and planning ahead for this championship," said Aasbo. "It's a long season and our goal is to make no mistakes and be in the mix all year. We're going to give the fans incredible drifting in a great car at every round."

Aasbo bested series newcomer Chelsea DeNofa in the Top 32 knockout elimination round to face defending champion Daijiro Yoshihara in the Round of 16 Saturday afternoon. It was a close contest that saw one of the three judges ask for a "One-More-Time" re-run battle, but Aasbo did not advance past eventual podium-finisher Yoshihara.

"Fredric (Aasbo) put in a solid performance out there this weekend," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "We're going to turn up the heat for the next round in Atlanta next month and really put the pressure on."

Aasbo returns to the Formula DRIFT championship in 2012 for only his second full season of American competition. He closed out his debut Formula DRIFT season at the end of last year in 12th overall.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

Aasbo will return to the Long Beach course next weekend to road race in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach's popular Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race. He'll take on a field of professional and celebrity racers for the charity contest, including comedian Adam Carolla, actor Adrien Brody, Top Gear host Rutledge Wood, and reality TV star Brody Jenner.

The team next returns to Formula Drift competition for Round 2: Road to the Championship at Road Atlanta on May 11-12.

August 29 2011
LAS VEGAS, NV  Fredric Aasbo took on one of the fastest drifting circuits in the world in the Need for Speed Scion tC this past weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Cars topped 100 miles per hour heading into the top-speed first corner before slinging sideways into dramatic, smoky drifts under the stars and lights at Formula DRIFT's Round 6: After Dark. The main event took place in front of crowds that packed the stands late in the day, after the sun set on the sweltering Nevada desert. Temperatures soared to 110 degrees over the weekend and track conditions were variable.

After scoring his first overall podium in the series at the previous round, Aasbo said he was ready to put the pressure on his rivals this weekend. The driver's qualifying run was solid and placed the Need for Speed Scion tC squarely mid-pack.

Next, the 2010 Rookie of the Year edged out rival Matt Field in the Top 32 to set the stage for a Need for Speed match-up with teammate and top qualifier Matt Powers. It was looking strong for Aasbo after a fine follow run, but he sought an aggressive line during his lead run that saw him forced to come to a near stop on the course  taking heavy scoring penalties.

"We were looking to really bring the heat to Las Vegas  especially after landing on the podium at the last round," said Aasbo. "We ended up gambling a little bit, though, and it didn't go our way."
Even so, it was another good weekend for the team, with a flawless performance from the Need for Speed Scion tC -- a brand-new car built by Papadakis Racing for the 2011 season. Aasbo has paired with the Papadakis Racing squad in 2011 for his first full season of Formula DRIFT competition.

After a strong season to-date, Aasbo said he's looking forward to adding to his highlight reel with a competitive final round in October. "I am 100 per cent focused on learning the limits of the car so that we can bring out our full potential for the last round of the season," said Aasbo. "We have proven that we can be a podium contender, but my goal is to prove that every time!"
Aasbo finished the championship's first round in the Top 8, debuting the new car to a strong result on the Streets of Long Beach. He earned a Top 16 finish on the challenging Road Atlanta course for Round 2, creating one of the most memorable moments of the weekend when one run saw him enter the high-speed first turn nearly backwards at a speed of 94 mph. Round 5 saw the young driver take his first overall podium.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways at high speed in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

After running select Formula DRIFT events in the United States in 2009 and 2010, the 2011 season is Aasbo's first full season of Formula DRIFT competition. The driver started the year with a win in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and finished third at a similar event in Qatar.

The team next returns to Formula DRIFT competition for Round 7: Title Fight at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 7-8.

July 23, 2011
MONROE, WA  Fredric Aasbo earned a career-best podium finish this weekend in the Need for Speed Scion tC, after a hard-fought battle at Formula DRIFT: "Throwdown" in the Pacific Northwest.

"It was definitely the biggest day ever for myself," said Aasbo. "This -- Formula DRIFT -- is where the sport is at, and to finally be able to get up there on the podium with my team is just unreal."

Fans turned out in droves to take in the action at the historic Evergreen Speedway on Saturday. The course features a banked, high-speed first corner before an infield section that includes a series of tight turns, a close trackside wall and no margin for error.

The 2010 Rookie of the Year has paired with Papadakis Racing squad in 2011 for his first full season of Formula DRIFT competition and credits the team's excellent Scion tC, Hankook tires, and coaching for getting him to the podium. It was a matter of staying the course for the young driver, who has had to take some leaps of faith with his new team this season.

"We've been working on different things and it's been hard but at this event we were able to pack it all up and put it together and do it," said Aasbo. "The result is definitely thanks in no small part to Steph's coaching and I think we were finally able to do the team's experience justice."

Aasbo qualified in the 8th spot and inched past the Round of 32 despite a spin, after his opponent was deemed off-course. A match-up with top qualifier Tyler McQuarrie in the Final Four resulted in an incredible two "One-More-Time" calls from the judges  making for a total of six grueling lead and follow runs between the drivers before Aasbo advanced. A final match-up against former series champion Rhys Millen saw Aasbo come away with third place  a personal best in the U.S. for the driver.

"We started this year with a fresh combination of car and driver, and we are definitely starting to realize our potential," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "A big thanks to Scion, Hankook, Need for Speed, and all of our partners for supporting us through this transition; I know this is just the first of many podiums for Fredric in Formula DRIFT."

Aasbo finished the championship's first round in the Top 8, debuting the new car to a strong result on the Streets of Long Beach. He earned a Top 16 finish on the challenging Road Atlanta course for Round 2, creating one of the most memorable moments of the weekend when one run saw him enter the high-speed first turn nearly backwards at a speed of 94 mph. But a few tough race weekends, as Aasbo adjusted to his new team, have seen the up-and-comer out before he could really fight. The podium finish moves Aasbo up to 11th place in the standings, with two rounds remaining in the season.

The result comes at a poignant time for Aasbo, a Norwegian who has recently returned to the United States from a stay at home. The event opened with a moment of silence in recognition of Friday's deadly attacks in Norway, and Aasbo said his country was never far from his mind.

"It was amazing to be able to put up such a good performance for Norway -- especially in such trying times," he said.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways at high speed in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

After running select Formula DRIFT events in the United States in 2009 and 2010, the 2011 season is Aasbo's first full season of Formula DRIFT competition. The driver started the year with a win in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and finished third at a similar event in Qatar.

The team next returns to Formula DRIFT competition for Round 6: After Dark at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on August 26-27.

Round 4, "The Gauntlet," offers plenty of opportunity to make mistakes with its quick entry into a 30-degree angled bank, a transition down into the first clipping point into a figure eight and into the finish line. It's a stop in the championship that typically sees cars damaged and this year was no exception, with many veterans hitting the wall early in competition.

Aasbo headed into the Top 32 Round cautiously optimistic that a conservative strategy in the Team Need for Speed Scion Racing tC could get him past opponent Darren McNamara. On his first run, the rookie gave chase and stayed close to McNamara for a crowd-pleasing battle of top-tier driving. In second run, Aasbo created impressive angle, sliding sideways with a plume of smoke from the rear wheels. It was a solid performance, but it wasn't enough to get him past his more experienced rival.

"Drawing Darren McNamara for Top 32 was a tough pick, but we definitely pushed him hard," said Aasbo. "We shot through the track with pretty much identical speed and, to me, that's a sign of a great car built by an amazing team."

Aasbo remained at the track throughout the race day to meet with fans, sign autographs and lend his insider expertise to the Formula DRIFT official live-stream online coverage.

The Papadakis Racing team built an entirely new competition car for 2011 on the new Scion tC platform. The Need For Speed Scion tC is a powerful, rear-wheel drive, turbocharged four-cylinder vehicle, purpose-built for the sport.

"We've made a lot of progress in a short time and I'm confident we'll be on the podium this year," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "Making this Formula DRIFT Rookie and our very custom Need For Speed Scion tC champions is our goal."

Aasbo finished Round 1 in the Top 8, debuting the new car to a strong result on the Streets of Long Beach. He earned a Top 16 finish on the challenging Road Atlanta course for Round 2, creating one of the most memorable moments of the weekend when one run saw him enter the high-speed first turn nearly backwards at a speed of 94 mph. Aasbo is currently in 12th place heading into Round 5.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways at high speed in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

After running select Formula DRIFT events in the United States in 2009 and 2010, the 2011 season is Aasbo's first full season of Formula DRIFT competition. The driver started the year with a win in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and finished third at a similar event in Qatar.

The team next returns to Formula DRIFT competition for Round 5: Throwdown at Evergreen Speedway on July 22-23. Aasbo is also set to return to Norway for a visit home and a drifting demonstration at an upcoming round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship.

June 4, 2011
PALM BEACH, FL  Frederic Aasbo charged into a new US drift venue this weekend at Round 3 of the 2011 Formula DRIFT Championship, Invasion, held for the first time at Florida's Palm Beach International Raceway.

The event, held under the track lights after the heat of day faded with the setting sun, brought the smoke and fury of Formula DRIFT to a new region. A sell-out crowd packed the grandstands to take in the action.

"You could tell it was a real gathering point for auto-enthusiasts of all types," said Aasbo. "It was a really cool first event for Formula DRIFT down in Florida and I have a good feeling about next year."

The 2010 "Rookie of the Year" Aasbo said the high-speed track layout suited his style as cars hit speeds of 90 mph before transitioning into a series of showy drifts. He drove the 2011 Need For Speed Scion tC into the number-six qualifying position and was looking forward to another strong performance.

"Our qualifying run really showed the capabilities of the car," said Aasbo. "Two days of runs like that and we could have been on the podium."

But an unfortunate match-up between Aasbo and Need for Speed teammate Matt Powers saw the Norwegian driver go down in the first round, knocked out after a committed, but untidy, lead run.

"This is Fredric (Aasbo's) first full season with our team and in Formula DRIFT," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "We're evolving our teamwork and our strategy, and I think we'll see Fredric continue to mature as a driver this year."

The Papadakis Racing team built an entirely new competition car for 2011 on the new Scion tC platform. The Need For Speed Scion tC is a powerful, rear-wheel drive, turbocharged four-cylinder vehicle, purpose-built for the sport.
Aasbo finished Round 1 in the Top 8, debuting the new car to a strong result on the Streets of Long Beach. He earned a Top 16 finish on the challenging Road Atlanta course for Round 2, creating one of the most memorable moments of the weekend when one run saw him enter the high-speed first turn nearly backwards at a speed of 94 mph.

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways at high speed in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.
After running select Formula DRIFT events in the United States in 2009 and 2010, the 2011 season is Aasbo's first full season of Formula DRIFT competition. The driver started the year with a win in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and finished third at a similar event in Qatar.

The team next returns to Formula DRIFT competition for Round 4: The Gauntlet at Wall Speedway, in New Jersey June 17 and 18. Aasbo will also take part in "Ultimate Drift" contest before the IndyCar race at the Texas Motor Speedway on June 11 and is set to return to Norway for a visit home and a drifting demonstration at an upcoming round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship.

Fredric Aasbo scores Top 10 finish
in debut outing with the new Need for Speed Scion tC

Braselton, GA (May 9, 2011, PAPADAKIS RACING). Round 2 held at Road Atlanta, Fredric Aasbo moves up to 7th in points with a top 16 finish.

Formula Drift recorded another record spectator turnout during the eighth year at the Road Atlanta racetrack in Braselton, Georgia. With 95+ MPH entry speeds, the action did not let the crowd down.

Fredric was eager to compete in his Need for Speed Scion Racing tC around Road Atlanta, as it was his first time at this venue. He quickly found his groove and qualified in a respectable 13th place.

In his battle of the top 32, Fredric found himself paired with Pat Cyr. Fredric led and entered into the first clipping point with great angle. Cyr followed in after him, but went too wide and was unable to recover. Fredric continued on to put down a great run, with plumes of smoke shadowing him throughout the course. When it was Fredric's turn to give chase, he mimicked Cyr's line while maintaining a good amount of angle. Fredric was awarded the win and would move on into the Sweet Sixteen.

In his top 16 battle, Fredric was matched with Daijiro Yoshihara. "I knew I had to give it all I had," says Fredric, "as Dai won here last year and has one of the fasted cars in the field."

Fredric gave chase at the first run, initiating into the first clipping point right behind Dai, and stayed glued to him throughout the course. When it was Fredric's turn to lead, he came in hot down the hill and entered nearly backwards with a speed of 94 MPH. Maintaining a wide line throughout the horseshoe, Fredric blasted out of it like a madman while leaving his competitor in a thick haze of smoke. After two sets of amazing runs from both drivers, the judges awarded the advantage to Dai, and Fredric would be forced to settle with 13th place overall at Round 2.

"This marked my second event in the Team Need for Speed Scion Racing tC," says Fredric. "I am able to throw it in backwards now and couldn't be happier with the progress we made over the weekend!"

"Fredric and the car seem to be working well together with such a close round against Dai (the eventual winner) showing not only the potential but the current competitiveness of the team," said Stephan Papadakis. "I can't wait until the next event in Florida. No one has any laps on that new course and it should separate the best drivers."

ABOUT DRIFTING
Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways at high speeds in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.

Fredric Aasbo scores Top 10 finish
in debut outing with the new Need for Speed Scion tC

LONG BEACH, CA (April 10 2011, PAPADAKIS RACING)  Fredric Aasbo drove the brand-new 2011 Need For Speed Scion tC drift machine to a Top-10 finish at the Formula DRIFT season opener this weekend, taking home ninth-place points on the challenging Streets of Long Beach.
A sell-out crowd packed grandstands and spilled over to line the popular street course, which featured thrilling, high-speed entries, narrow walls and no room for error. The team's top performance at the contest showed incredible potential for the 2011 season.
"It is very good first test for the whole operation and Papadakis Racing has gone out of their way to make it a success," said Aasbo. "Keeping the Need For Speed Scion tC on track all weekend is such an amazing feat by the team, especially considering it's a totally new build -- fresh out of the box."
Although no strangers to Scion Racing, the Papadakis Racing team built an entirely new competition car for 2011 on the new Scion tC platform. The Need For Speed Scion tC is a powerful, rear-wheel drive, turbocharged four-cylinder vehicle, purpose-built for the sport.
"To finish in the Top 10 with a new car and new driver at the first round is a real accomplishment," said team owner Stephan Papadakis. "This is an excellent start and a great foundation for the rest of the year; credit goes to Fredric (Aasbo) for his professionalism and cool-headedness against some very stiff competition."
Aasbo, the 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, was solid from the start in this first outing with the new team. He knocked out John Russakoff in the Top 32 round before taking the win against veteran Tyler McQuarrie in the Top 16. A final match-up in the Top 8 saw him narrowly defeated by former champion Chris Forsberg.
"Our performance showed we could hang with the fastest cars right out of the box," said Aasbo. "It's a huge testament to the car, and to the forward grip of our Hankook RS3 tires."
The new Papadakis Racing vehicle proved itself on the weekend, avoiding the teething troubles that are typical with a new car build. The team made only minor setup changes over the course of two days of competition and Aasbo said he felt the already competent car got better with every run.
"We have a very good team foundation already and I can't wait to continue to explore the chassis and continue to work toward the championship this season," said Aasbo.
Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways at high speed in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world.
Although the Long Beach event was the first outing of the year for Aasbo in the United States, he has recently returned from the Middle East where he took the win at an invitational drifting event at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and finished third at a similar event in Qatar. After running select Formula DRIFT events in the United States in 2009 and 2010, the 2011 season will be Aasbo's first full season of Formula DRIFT competition. He is also slated to run select events abroad.
The team next returns to Formula Drift competition for Round 2: Road to the Championship at Road Atlanta on May 6-7.

ABOUT FREDRIC Aasbo

The 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the year, Fredric Aasbo launches a new phase of his career in 2011 as driver for the Papadakis Racing squad in a new Need for Speed Scion tC. A two-time Nordic Drifting champion (2007, 2008), 2011 marks his first full US competition season in the premier Formula DRIFT championship. Aasbo ran select Formula DRIFT drift events in 2009 and 2010 and made his US debut at a global drifting invitational in 2008. Aasbo has buit a reputation in the United States as an icon of David versus Goliath drifting battles, earning the nickhame "The Champkiller," for his ability to edge out senior drivers in competition. Aasbo has recently moved from his hometown of Ski, Norway, to the United States, where he makes his home in Redondo Beach, California.

ABOUT PAPADAKIS RACING

Team owner Stephan Papadakis is a legend of sport-compact racing who began building his reputation in the 1990s with the first front-wheel-drive, tube-chassis drag car in the U.S.
The team earned multiple records and championships in the discipline, turning in elapsed times and trap speeds previously thought unattainable in front-drive drag cars. Papadakis' successes in front-wheel drive were matched by his efforts in rear-wheel drive when he campaigned a Civic that became only the fifth car to join the NHRA's Sport Compact 200 MPH club.
Aasbo is the newest member of Papadakis Racing, who signed the Norwegian driver when Tanner Foust announced his retirement from the sport after the 2010 season. The team began drifting in 2005 and has shown impressive results in five years of Formula DRIFT competition, earning two championship titles (2007, 2008). The team finished in the runner-up position in the 2010 championship, with Foust taking second-place points behind the wheel of the team's first-generation Scion tC. The 2011 Need for Speed Scion tC is the team's latest competition build.